Assessment of the risk of infection among Romanian physicians at the outbreak of the SARS CoV-2 pandemic

Abstract

Background

In March 2020, the WHO declared the SARS CoV-2 pandemic. This had an immediate and dramatic impact on Romanian physicians.

Objectives

To analyse SARS-CoV-2 risk perception among Romanian physicians following the official WHO pandemic announcement.

Methods

A questionnaire was sent to Romanian physicians (n = 319) between 13 and 27 of March 2020 to determine the perceived threat of exposure to SARS CoV-2 infection, the assessment COVID-19 sources of documentation, physicians’ access to personal protective equipment and the attitude towards a prospective vaccine against SARS CoV-2.

Results

Confronted with a new and unknown disease, the lack of appropriate information regarding disease management, media pressure and the lack of protective equipment, physicians experiencing a highly stressful a period. We found a significant relationship between the perceived level of fear and the risk of infection with SARS CoV-2 among respondents. A relationship was also found between the perceived level of fear related to COVID-19 and the acceptance of future vaccines against SARS CoV-2. Our data show that doctors working in urban areas considered the medical research on COVID-19 as clearer than those working in rural locations did.

Conclusion

Pandemic preparedness should focus on measures that make medical practice safe (supplies, working protocols, experience sharing with experts/colleagues from other countries).

Keywords:

• COVID-19 pandemic
• SARS-CoV-2 infection
• Romanian physicians
• perceived threat

Disclosure statement

The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.